Dear Esther,
I get your magazine mailed to my office every month and I really enjoy your column. I look forward to reading your magazine every month just to read your page. I own a pretty large company with over 50 employees. I have had many employees quit because they have stated that I am too rude and I blow up easily. I try so hard to control my temper. I have very little patience with stupidity and I find myself getting irritated and angry all the time. Recently, I had an employee quit and she said, "you are the worst example of a Christian man, quit calling yourself a Christian." I don't know why? However, I cannot stop hearing her words play over and over in my mind. How can I change? I am over 60 years old, can I REALLY change? Any advice I would gladly accept.
Sincerely, Angry Boss
Dear Angry Boss,
Thank you for trusting me to give my personal advice in this matter. Do not lose heart, Jesus can renew your life. You sound to be successful and intelligent, but you need more Jesus is your daily activities. Christians are the Salt of the Earth and the Light of the World. See Matthew 5:13-16. When a person gets angry, he becomes as much intoxicated as a person involved in alcohol or drugs. Christ treats anger as murder. The angry person is perverted by the influence of Satan and knows not what he is doing. Read Matthew 5:21,22. I believe you are a good person and the reason you feel uncomfortable is a good sign that the Holy Spirit is still working on you and it can transform a person's life into an entirely new person. The Law of God is established in love. The first four commandments present man's duty to God, the last six are his duty to his neighbors, and these two aspects of the law are inseparable. Read: 1 Corinthians chapter 13; Galatians 5:22,23; 1 John 4:7, 8, 19. A hardened heart cannot hear the voice of the Holy Spirit. Maybe this is an opportunity that God is providing for you to make a complete U-turn in your life. My friend, you were offended by that employee, because you are a Christian and a child of God. You must also remember that everyone we see daily is one too, even though they may not know it yet. In reality, it's easy to say we are Christians, but it isn't easy to be seen as one all of the time. Christians do get upset and irritated at times, but with God in our hearts we can overcome anger and learn to control our emotions.
Now that you have decided in your heart that you want to change, there is happiness in Heaven! Jesus is always ready to assist you. You need to have a spiritual meeting with Jesus. Find a quiet place to be alone with Him. Humble yourself to the Most Omnipotent, open your heart, confess to Him ALL your guilt, weakness, and surrender all to Jesus. Repeat out loud: "I can do everything through Jesus who gives me strength." Philippians 4:13. After you get through your dialogue with Jesus, you will feel peace in your heart and soon dealing with difficult situations will become easy for you.
"The Lord bless you and keep you: The Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you; The Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace." Numbers 6:24-26.
Praying for you,
Esther